also some indicators that an autistic person is shutting down:
- signs that their auditory processing isn’t working as well as it typically does, including frequently asking for things to be repeated for clarification (obviously the context matters with this one–if this is in a loud room or a room with several noises going on at once/if it’s a situation where most people would do this, then it’s likely not a sign of a shutdown, especially if no other signs are present)
- not being able to give clear answers (ex. more frequent use of “i don’t know/care/understand”)
- more difficulty processing what they’re seeing than is usual (can’t think of indicators of this)
- having a harder time/not being able to read
- basically anything indicating that their processing isn’t working as well as usual
- obvious signs of increased anxiety/distress (rapid stimming, concerning expressions–looking expressionless, teary, angry, and/or frustrated, getting easily frustrated, unusual tone of voice/speech patterns)
most of these are signs i (sometimes) recognize in myself when i’m close to shutting down
and it’s important to remember that a couple of these doesn’t necessarily mean someone is shutting down, especially considering these should be changes and not just what’s typical for the person in question (ex. having constant problems processing audio)
some people also have individualized indicators, which you can find out by (as the previous commenter suggested) talking to/asking them
and if an autistic person tells you that they’re close to a shutdown or meltdown and they need something (to be somewhere with less stimulation, food/liquids, something to stim with, etc.) but they aren’t showing any signs of it, believe them anyway
some of us are very good at hiding these signs (sometimes without even realizing it) for the sake of passing as neurotypical (even if the situation doesn’t call for that), and taking our word for it/listing to us in order to help us through a shutdown or meltdown is the best thing you can do in these situations